Russian Military Aircraft Enter NATO Airspace

Russian military jets have violated NATO airspace over the weekend, a violation which prompted the Lithuanian government to demand an “immediate explanation” from the Russian ambassador. Moscow has accused its neighbour of playing politics over the event.

Two Russian IL-76 long range transporters, capable of carrying large numbers of troops and armoured vehicles, were intercepted in NATO airspace.

“The incident took place in the evening on 16 September, when two Russian military aircraft Il-76 entered Lithuania’s airspace and stayed there for up to 2 minutes,” the Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement Monday. “The aircraft were flying from Russia’s mainland to the Kaliningrad region.”